From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Honey: A Novel by Isabel Banta (Celadon Books, $27.99, 9781250333469). "A pitch-perfect reclamation of the '90s & early '00s pop craze, for anybody who listened to boy bands, girl groups, or their solo spin-offs. This story doesn't end like Britney's, or Christina's--it gives pop stars the endings they deserve." --Drew Broussard, The Golden Notebook, Woodstock, N.Y.
A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Gallery Books, $28.99, 9781668012192). "Harvey delivers another beautiful and heartfelt novel filled with romance, mystery, and her signature Southern charm. A multigenerational story told through dual timelines, A Happier Life invites readers to deeply savor its pages." --Susan McBeth, Adventures by the Book, San Diego, Calif.
Paperback
Ink Blood Sister Scribe: A Novel by Emma Törzs (Morrow, $18.99, 9780063253476). "There is magic of all kinds on each page of Ink Blood Sister Scribe: grisly body horror magic; romantic, confectionary fairy tale magic; and the binding, consuming magic of family and what it means to belong. I am still under its spell!" --Sarah Jackson, The Book & Cover, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Ages 4-8
The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer (Atheneum, $18.99, 9781665940429). "Beckmeyer exquisitely balances The First Week of School's simultaneous narratives, making a reading experience rich in humor, character engagement, and surprises. This story cannot be praised too highly or visited too often." --Kenny Brechner, Devaney, Doak & Garrett Booksellers, Farmington, Maine
Ages 10-13: An Indies Introduce Title
Breaking into Sunlight by John Cochran (Algonquin, $17.99, 9781523527298). "This moving story of a family dealing with the complexities of addiction is told with incredible sensitivity, compassion, and hope. These wonderful young characters will stay with you long after the last page is turned." --Holly Weinkauf, Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, Minn.
Teen Readers
Brownstone by Samuel Teer, illus. by Mar Julia (Versify, $18.99, 9780358394747). "This was such a beautiful, bittersweet graphic novel. Samuel Teer and Mar Julia ripped my heart out and put it back together with this story of a daughter not knowing who her family is and spending a summer learning and growing." --Sarah Dimaria, Cavalier House Books, Denham Springs, La.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
